A violent bully used his girlfriend “like a punch bag” leaving her with cracked ribs and a swollen face resembling a balloon, a court heard.

Over nine months, Robert Hutchings subjected his victim to so much domestic violence she told of feeling like “hunted prey”.

The 49-year-old bricklayer, of Dryland Road, Snodland, had moved into her home while separated from his wife, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

After an attack he was served with a domestic violence protection order but within hours he breached it.

It led the previously reluctant victim to report the violence to the police.

Prosecutor Allister Walker said Hutchings launched one attack on her for disturbing his sleep. He punched her nine times to the head and then in the ribs, causing her to fall to the floor.

“He straddled her and ground his clenched fist into the ribs he had just punched until they cracked,” said Mr Walker.

Hutchings also threatened to cut her into little pieces with a kitchen knife and slapped her.

One evening they had been out for a meal when he stormed off home. He waited for her at the end of the driveway and grabbed her after she ran off screaming.

He spun her around and punched her in the face. She fell and he kicked her in the ribs, followed by punches to her left eye, the side of her head under her right breast.

The girlfriend said in a victim statement she had “suffered in silence” and still feared him.

“If you love someone you don’t chase them down like an animal hunts its prey or break their bones,” she added.

“He chipped away at my strength and independence. Unfortunately the memories don’t go away.”

Hutchings admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and three offences of assault by beating between June last year and March this year.

“You used her as a punch bag. You sat across her waist and put your fist into her ribs, twisting and grinding it until you heard them crack" - Recorder James Mullholland QC

Jailing him for three years, Recorder James Mullholland QC said the repeated violence amounted to torture.

“You used her as a punch bag,” he said. “You sat across her waist and put your fist into her ribs, twisting and grinding it until you heard them crack.

“That goes beyond mere violence and is pretty close to torture. The pain must have been absolutely excruciating.

“Instead of coming to your senses after such an assault and seeking help, you continued this abuse for nine long months.”

The judge heard Hutchings, who has previous convictions for assault, wounding and racially aggravated assault, was back with his wife.

A restraining order banning contact with the victim was made for six years.